AGP Executive Report

Senegal Health Innovation: A Senegalese company, Teranga Pharma, has produced the first Africa-made generic hydroxyurea for sickle cell disease, aiming to cut costs and reduce painful crises and hospitalisations for patients who often rely on expensive imported medicines. Public Health Access: The story highlights how families near Dakar struggle with severe anaemia, bone pain and repeated hospital visits, showing why local production could ease both treatment and hospital cost burdens. Malaria Workplace Gap: A West Africa survey for World Mosquito Day finds 62% of workers get no malaria prevention support from employers, calling for stronger workplace action across countries including Senegal. Drug Enforcement: In Chicago, US Customs seized over 1,170 pounds of khat from three Senegalese travellers and charged them with controlled substance trafficking. Food Security & Land Restoration: UN WFP recognition spotlights the Sahel Integrated Resilience Initiative, linking land restoration with nutrition and school meals across Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger.

Sickle Cell Care: Senegalese lab Teranga Pharma is producing generic hydroxyurea, the WHO-recommended gold-standard treatment, aiming to cut costs and improve access for patients who often face painful crises and frequent hospital visits. Health Systems & Medicines: WHO says Mozambique has reached ML3 for regulating medicines and imported vaccines, joining Senegal and other African countries—good news for safer, quality-assured drugs across the region. Workplace Malaria: A survey across 10 West African countries finds 62% of workers get no malaria prevention support from employers, urging companies in Senegal and beyond to move from awareness to real workplace action. Malaria Control Funding: WHO’s chief says Africa is still making health gains despite sharp global funding cuts, highlighting progress on HIV and tuberculosis treatment coverage. Public Health Policy: ECOWAS met in Conakry to discuss harmonising tobacco excise duties—framing taxation as a way to protect health while raising revenue. Migration & Vulnerability: Deportees sent from the U.S. to Liberia reportedly resisted disembarking and were flown to Equatorial Guinea, raising serious concerns about medical care and legal safeguards. Border Health Risks: U.S. authorities at Chicago O’Hare seized 1,172 pounds of khat from travelers arriving from Senegal, with arrests and trafficking charges.

Health Funding & Disease Gains: WHO chief Dr. Tedros says Africa is still making progress on disease-control goals even as global health financing is cut sharply, citing milestones including Senegal and other countries reaching major elimination targets. Malaria at Work: A West Africa survey by the Corporate Alliance on Malaria in Africa finds 62% of workers get no workplace malaria prevention support, urging employers in Senegal and across the region to move from awareness to real protection. Medicines Regulation: Mozambique earned WHO ML3 status for regulating medicines and imported vaccines, joining Senegal and other African countries—good news for safer, better-checked health products. Migration & Health Risks: Senegal and Mauritania intercepted 750+ migrants trying to reach the Canary Islands, including people in delicate health, highlighting ongoing risks on the Atlantic route. Deportation Fallout: Reports say some deportees sent to Liberia resisted disembarking and were instead flown to Equatorial Guinea under third-country deportation deals—raising concerns for vulnerable people. Public Health & Safety: In the U.S., CBP seized 1,172 pounds of khat from three Senegal-linked travelers at Chicago O’Hare, with arrests and trafficking charges.

Medicine Regulation: Mozambique’s National Medicine Regulatory Authority (ANARME) has reached WHO Maturity Level 3 for medicines and imported vaccines—joining Senegal and other African countries in strengthening quality, safety, and monitoring across the product lifecycle. Public Health & Access: WHO prequalification has been granted to EuBiologics’ typhoid conjugate vaccine, clearing the way for UN and other global procurement—good news for countries planning large-scale immunisation, including Senegal. Nutrition & Child Health: The Africa Supply Chain Excellence Awards highlighted “Humanitarian and Health Supply Chain Management,” with Heart for Africa’s Project Canaan winning a Platinum Award for improving child nutrition in rural communities with limited refrigeration and transport. Migration & Health Risks: Senegal and Mauritania reported intercepting 750+ migrants heading to the Canary Islands, including people in “delicate health condition,” underscoring the medical risks of the Atlantic route. Food Allergy Research: Boston Children’s Hospital reports early results from fecal-transplant research that may help peanut allergy patients build longer-lasting tolerance—potentially relevant for future allergy care pathways.

Public Health & Nutrition: Boston Children’s Hospital researchers report early results from fecal-transplant based therapy that may help some people with peanut allergies maintain tolerance months later, pointing to a new microbiome-driven direction for treatment. WHO Vaccines: EuBiologics says its typhoid conjugate vaccine has received WHO prequalification, clearing the way for UN and other global procurement programs—good news for typhoid control efforts in places like Senegal. Health System Support: Direct Relief details ongoing medical shipments, including PPE and medicines for the Ebola response in eastern DRC, plus cold-chain and solar power support for community health facilities. Migration & Safety: Senegal and Mauritania intercepted 750+ migrants heading toward the Canary Islands; Senegal reported a vessel with 210 people including people in delicate health, while Mauritania rescued 315. Policy & Rights: A US judge struck down Trump’s immigrant visa freeze affecting nationals of many African countries including Senegal, potentially reopening case-by-case processing. Regional Health Governance: ECOWAS tax officials met in Guinea to discuss tobacco taxation as a public health tool—aiming to cut disease while raising revenue.

Typhoid Vaccine Push: EuBiologics says its typhoid conjugate vaccine has received WHO prequalification, clearing the way for UN and other global procurement—good news for countries that need reliable, scalable immunisation. Migration & Health Risks: Senegal and Mauritania intercepted 750+ migrants heading to the Canary Islands, including people in “delicate health condition,” underlining the urgent need for medical support during risky Atlantic crossings. Public Health in Action: Direct Relief reports major medicine and PPE shipments, including supplies for the DRC Ebola response and solar power support for a community hospital in Haiti—showing how logistics and energy access can directly affect care. Food Allergy Research: A small clinical trial in Science Translational Medicine suggests fecal-transplant based microbiome therapy may help some peanut-allergy patients maintain tolerance months later. Local Health Infrastructure (Regional): Coris Bank International committed $712m to build hospitals and schools in Burkina Faso, a reminder that financing health facilities is still a core development lever. Health & Rights Context: Coverage also highlights how criminalisation and stigma can block HIV service access, with strong calls to protect health-seeking.

Migration & Health Risks: Senegal and Mauritania intercepted 750+ migrants trying to reach the Canary Islands, including 210 people found by the Senegalese Navy with several in “very delicate health” and Mauritania rescuing 315 from a boat that left Gambia, with minors onboard—another reminder of the medical dangers on the 1,500 km Atlantic route. Water, Sanitation & Care Quality: A WHO/UNICEF assessment says only 35% of Senegal’s health facilities meet basic sanitation standards (with gaps also flagged in Guinea-Bissau, Burkina Faso, Mali, Ghana and Nigeria), stressing that usable toilets, menstrual hygiene access, and facilities for people with limited mobility are still missing. Vaccine Access: EuBiologics secured WHO prequalification for its typhoid conjugate vaccine, clearing the way for UN and global procurement—good news for typhoid prevention efforts in places like Senegal where trials showed comparable safety and effectiveness. Community Health & Safety: A Senegal-linked sports charity angle surfaced in the UK: Leeds midfielder Anton Stach’s burger promotion supports The Elhadj Diouf Foundation, while separate reports highlight ongoing public health concerns tied to unsafe environments and violence awareness events.

WHO/DRC Ebola Watch: A rare Ebola outbreak in eastern DR Congo is worsening, with 2026 figures cited at 1,587 deaths and 3,605 confirmed cases, and reports saying spread is accelerating—urging stronger, coordinated global action before containment gets harder. Vaccine Access: EuBiologics says its typhoid conjugate vaccine has received WHO prequalification, clearing the way for UN and public procurement bids—good news for wider immunisation in places like Senegal. Facility Sanitation Gap: WHO/UNICEF report shows many West African health facilities still lack basic sanitation; Senegal is at 35% meeting basic sanitation standards, highlighting risks to patient dignity and infection prevention. Health in the Field: ECOWAS mission in Guinea-Bissau held a 5km route march to promote fitness and wellbeing among personnel, including Senegalese participants and a Level II hospital. Health Supply Support: Direct Relief shipped major medical aid for the DRC Ebola response and backed solar power for a Haitian community hospital—showing how PPE and reliable energy keep care running. Community Safety & Wellness: A Senegal-linked charity walk/run in the US focused on domestic violence and sexual assault awareness, pairing health and healing resources with survivor support.

Health & Safety in Care: WHO/UNICEF report finds sanitation gaps in West African health facilities, with Senegal at 35% meeting basic sanitation standards in 2025—highlighting toilets for staff, privacy, menstrual hygiene access, and disability-friendly use as key weak points. Public Health Aid: Direct Relief says it shipped 13.9 million daily doses of medicines plus PPE, including a major consignment for the DRC Ebola response and solar power support for a Haiti community hospital. HIV & Rights: AIDS 2026 discussions in Rio spotlight how LGBTQ criminalisation drives people away from HIV services, worsening outcomes across parts of sub-Saharan Africa. Food Security & Livelihoods: Senegal’s sardinella stocks are collapsing, threatening jobs and food security; the government plans to expand the inshore exclusive zone from 6 to 12 nautical miles to protect small-scale fishers. Fitness & Wellness: ECOWAS mission staff in Guinea-Bissau held a 5km route march to promote physical fitness and reduce health risks from inactivity. Community Violence Awareness: A 5K walk in Colorado raised awareness of domestic violence and sexual assault, with partners offering health and healing resources.

Public Health & Facilities: WHO/UNICEF report finds sanitation gaps in West African health facilities, with Senegal at 35% meeting basic sanitation standards (Ghana 16%, Mali 12%, Burkina Faso 11%), highlighting issues like usable toilets, menstrual hygiene access, and facilities for people with limited mobility. Ebola Response Support: Direct Relief shipped major medical aid for the DRC Ebola response, including PPE and essential medicines, plus a solar microgrid grant to improve power for Petit Trou Community Hospital in Haiti. HIV & Rights: A conference session warns that LGBTQ criminalisation fuels HIV by pushing people away from services, with Uganda cited for rising restrictions and service access barriers. Food & Jobs Agenda: The 20th Africa Food Systems Forum (Aug 31–Sep 5) in Kigali will focus on investing in agri-food systems, building resilience, and turning Senegal’s 2025 investment pipeline into action. Senegal’s Fisheries Pressure: A new analysis says sardinella stocks are collapsing (57% of Senegal’s fish populations), threatening small-scale fishers; Senegal plans to expand its inshore exclusive zone from 6 to 12 nautical miles to curb industrial fishing. Migration & Health Risks: Reports on U.S. deportations to Liberia and onward transfers to Equatorial Guinea raise concerns about legal protections and basic conditions, while Human Rights Watch describes migrants in Ceuta facing a legal vacuum with inadequate shelter, food, and sanitation. Health Security at Borders: Airport drug busts seized nearly 1,600 pounds of khat, with flights linked to Senegal—another reminder of health and safety risks tied to cross-border trafficking.

Health Facilities & WASH: WHO/UNICEF report finds sanitation gaps across West Africa, with Senegal at 35% of health facilities meeting basic sanitation standards (Ghana 16%, Mali 12%, Burkina Faso 11%), highlighting toilets, menstrual hygiene, and accessibility as key barriers. Malaria Prevention: New research looks at how insecticide-treated net use, access, and retention vary by subnational region—supporting “optimal” coverage rather than one-size-fits-all targets. HIV & Rights: At AIDS 2026, speakers warned that LGBTQ criminalisation fuels HIV by pushing people away from services, with Uganda cited after anti-LGBTQ laws. Food & Livelihoods: Senegal’s sardinella stocks are collapsing, threatening jobs and food security; the government plans to expand the inshore exclusive zone from 6 to 12 nautical miles to protect small-scale fishers. Public Health Capacity (Africa): China’s medical cooperation in Africa continues to expand under the 2025–2027 plan, including more personnel and support for regional health institutions. Ebola Watch: Congo’s Ebola outbreak has surpassed 5,000 confirmed cases, with WHO warning it could become one of the largest on record.

HIV & Rights: At AIDS 2026 in Rio, Uganda’s Centre for Women Justice warned that criminalising LGBTQ people “fuels” HIV by pushing key groups away from services. Water, Sanitation & Care: WHO/UNICEF found West African clinics still lack basic sanitation; Senegal’s health facilities meet basic sanitation at 35% (Ghana 16%, Nigeria 29%), with gaps often tied to menstrual hygiene and access for people with limited mobility. Youth Sports & Health Pathways: Kenya will host the ANOCA Zone V Youth Games (Aug 24–28) with a Youth Olympic Games link to Dakar 2026—an early pipeline for young athletes’ wellbeing and performance. Ebola Watch (Congo): Congo’s Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak has surpassed 5,000 confirmed cases with 2,378 deaths; health teams face added risk from hard-to-reach mining areas and fast-moving communities. Public Health Systems & Waste: Reports highlight unchecked hospital waste and unsafe disposal practices, raising infection-control concerns. Migration & Health Risks: Human Rights Watch describes migrants in Spain’s Ceuta living in a legal vacuum with poor shelter, food and sanitation, increasing vulnerability to violence and illness. Senegal in the Region: Airport drug busts note flights originating in Senegal tied to large khat seizures—an indirect health and safety issue.

Ebola Watch (Congo): Congo’s Ebola outbreak has passed 5,000 confirmed cases (about 2,378 deaths) with the Bundibugyo virus—rare, deadly, and without an approved vaccine or treatment—while health teams warn monitoring is being undermined by hard-to-reach communities and fast-moving miners. Public Health & Safety (Hospital waste): A Senegal-based investigation highlights how biomedical waste—especially used syringes—gets abandoned near neighborhoods and beaches, risking infections for patients, families, health workers, and children, with local hospital staff calling waste volumes “difficult to quantify.” Malaria Control (ITNs): New research looks at how insecticide-treated nets are used, accessed, and retained across African sub-regions, stressing that “optimal” coverage and better net products may save more lives than chasing one-size-fits-all targets. Health Equity in Research (STEM): Senegalese researcher Mame Diarra Touré points to a gender gap in AI research and health tech, arguing bias can become a patient-safety issue; an upcoming “Scientific Day” event will spotlight African women in health statistics and research. Global Medical Cooperation: Xinhua reports on China-Africa medical cooperation, including plans to send more health personnel and expand joint centers, framing it as capacity-building alongside direct care.

Biomedical Waste Watch: A SciDev.Net investigation highlights how biomedical waste management is badly underestimated across West and Central Africa, with syringes and infectious waste found near neighborhoods and even beaches—raising risks for patients, staff, and children. Ebola Update: Congo’s Ebola outbreak has surged past 5,000 confirmed cases (Bundibugyo virus), with thousands of deaths reported and health workers struggling to track spread as communities and hard-to-reach areas complicate response. AI & Health Equity: A Senegal-born researcher warns that low female representation in AI research can translate into algorithmic bias that may affect patient safety, as an Aug. 25 event in Senegal’s diaspora aims to boost African women’s visibility in health statistics and research. Women in STEM: UNESCO-linked reporting notes women are well represented among STEM graduates in Africa, but remain underrepresented in research and leadership—prompting calls for stronger pathways into academia. Local Health Systems: Senegal’s healthcare waste problem is echoed by hospital hygiene leaders describing waste as hard to quantify, while studies suggest large annual waste volumes. Community & Care: A U.S.-based Senegal story spotlights community capacity-building for justice-impacted leaders, including training for nonprofit governance and grant readiness.

Ebola Alert (Congo): Congo’s Ebola outbreak has passed 5,000 confirmed cases (Bundibugyo virus), with 2,378 deaths reported—no approved vaccine or treatment yet, and health officials warn the situation could grow further. Ebola Response (Field reality): AP reports Ebola monitoring is being complicated by fast-moving artisanal gold miners in eastern Congo, where hard-to-reach areas and people constantly on the move make tracking harder. Biomedical Waste (Senegal & region): A SciDev.Net investigation highlights unsafe biomedical waste in West and Central Africa, including syringes left near communities and beaches—raising risks for patients, workers, and children. Forced “Medical” Abuse (Senegal): Senegalese prosecutors reportedly used forced anal examinations in a sextortion case, including on women—an inhumane, pseudo-medical practice that rights groups say has no scientific basis. Women’s Health & Care (Senegal): A profile from Goree Island spotlights progress and gaps for girls’ education and completion—key for long-term health outcomes. Public Health Capacity (China-Africa): Xinhua describes Chinese medical missions and new plans to expand personnel and build joint centers across Africa, including support for disease control. Healthcare Governance (Senegal-linked): A Senegal senior ICC lawyer is among those sanctioned by the U.S., underscoring wider governance and legal pressures affecting regional actors.

Biomedical Waste Watch: A Senegal-linked investigation warns that biomedical waste is being left unmanaged, with syringes and infectious materials reportedly abandoned in public areas and near beaches—raising risks for patients, staff, and children. Ebola Response Pressure: In eastern Congo, mobile artisanal gold miners are complicating Ebola monitoring and contact tracing as outbreaks spread faster than health teams can reach remote sites. Forced Medical Harm in Senegal: A Senegal case describes people accused of online fraud and blackmail being subjected to forced anal examinations, including women—sparking renewed concern over inhumane, pseudo-medical procedures. Women’s Health & Care Access: A breast cancer survivor story from Senegal highlights the real cost of treatment and the reliance on workplace support to keep up with chemotherapy and scans. Public Health Governance: A Senegal-based nonprofit calls for stronger biomedical waste management systems, arguing health services can’t be effective if waste is not safely handled.